Going to check out a car and need help

[jr-mack]

hey yall, im new to the forums and dsm's as well; im going from v8 to a 4 banger. im selling my 97 cobra and trying to get a 97 gst. ne ways, im going to look at a 97 gst and was wondering what i need to look out for or any sounds from the engine that are bad. im still learning about these cars. thanks.

 

[turboglenn]

Uhm, lifter tick is pretty normal in the top end. other then that it should run smooth. Accelerate normally ( and some what briskly) brake evenly and smoothly..all the stuff you'd check in any other car. But one thing i would suggest against here is swapping from RWD to FWD. You'll regret it, RWD is so much more fun and easier to make go fast. If you're just looking for a car that's easy on gas, I'd almost say get a Honda, because once you get the bug to fix it up, it will be like any other "hot rod". Loud, shitty mileage and expensively fast.

 

[nytescion]

knocking from the bottom end, loud hissing noises (most of the time easy fix it it's just a boost leak), rattling from the transmission area, medium to big oil leaks is all i can think of off the top of my head. Is there any reason you're looking into a gst and not a gsx? nothing wrong with it just i would think that coming from a cobra you might be a little happier with a gsx.

edit: dang beat me to it

 

[jr-mack]

i guess id like a gsx but i really like this gst that i found and i have always liked eclipse's

 

[throwedgsx]

I agree with turboglenn and nytescion. Look at the head and check if it looks damp like oil leaking out of the valve cover. Also check the the underside of the block for oil stains. Check out electrical harnesses and hoses. Pretty basic things. As far as the turbo, watch for black smoke when accelerating or inconsistent acceleration. Almost like it hesitating. If it does either that means the turbo could be shot. And also i would recommend a gsx over a gst. I had a spyder gst and currently have a gsx. The spyder had traction problems as soon as i hit 225whp. the gsx is just all around more fun to drive. And if your looking for one my gsx is for sale. $8000 obo. I can send you pics if you wanna check it out. I can have it shipped to your door for $8000.